Latvian startup Deep Space Energy is making strides in space technology with its development of a compact radioisotope power generator. This innovative system promises to generate electricity for lunar missions while using approximately five times less fuel than traditional space nuclear systems. The company has successfully raised €350,000 in pre-seed funding and secured an additional €580,000 in public contracts and grants, aiming to commercialize the technology.
The generator works by converting heat produced from radioactive decay into electricity. The heat source, primarily derived from Americium-241 extracted from commercial nuclear reactor waste, allows for a more efficient energy output. Unlike conventional radioisotope thermoelectric generators that rely on thermocouples, Deep Space Energy claims its design significantly enhances fuel efficiency.
Enhanced Efficiency for Space Missions
According to founder and CEO Mihails Ščepanskis, the technology has already shown promise in laboratory tests. The main advantage is its reduced fuel requirement, which directly influences mass, costs, and scalability for space missions. The generator can serve as either an auxiliary or primary power source for satellites, particularly in regions where solar energy is unreliable.
“Our technology is poised to enhance the resilience of strategic satellites,” Ščepanskis stated. He highlighted the importance of having a backup power system that operates independently of solar energy, especially for high-value military reconnaissance assets. Traditional radioisotope thermoelectric generators require large amounts of radioactive material to sustain output, typically around 10 kg for a comparable energy output of 50 W. In contrast, Deep Space Energy’s system requires only about 2 kg of Americium-241.
This significant reduction in mass could have substantial implications for launch costs, which can reach up to €1 million per kilogram sent to the Moon. By cutting the radioisotope mass by 80 percent, missions could either lower their budgets or allocate resources for additional payloads.
Aiming for Lunar and Deep Space Operations
Deep Space Energy is targeting satellites operating in Medium Earth Orbit, Geostationary Orbit, and Highly Elliptical Orbit. These regions are critical for applications such as synthetic aperture radar imaging and missile-launch detection systems. The ability to provide a non-solar backup power source increases operational resilience against power degradation and potential disruptions.
The Moon presents unique challenges for power generation. Lunar nights can last around 354 hours, during which temperatures can plummet below minus 150 degrees Celsius. Solar panels are ineffective in darkness, and conventional battery systems struggle to maintain power over such extended periods without incurring significant mass penalties.
The compact radioisotope generator developed by Deep Space Energy enables a continuous low-power output that is independent of sunlight. This constant energy supply is essential for maintaining thermal regulation, communications, and survival systems during prolonged lunar nights or in permanently shadowed regions.
Production capacity for Americium-241 is projected to reach around 10 kg annually by the mid-2030s. Should Deep Space Energy’s claims of enhanced efficiency prove accurate, this supply could facilitate many more missions than previously feasible with traditional radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
The company envisions its system being used not just for lunar surface operations but also for deep space science missions and high-value defense satellites. By offering a lighter and more fuel-efficient alternative to existing technologies, Deep Space Energy aims to contribute significantly to the future of space exploration and satellite resilience.
